Crippling consolidated overdraft

A FUNDAMENTAL reappraisal of the method of allocating capital and revenue resources through local authorities is required, and the restructuring of local government has failed to address this need.

During the 1950s and 1960s Conservative and Labour Governments channelled capital into council house building infrastructure and public building developments and now that these developments are deteriorating their condition is condemned as the cause rather than the effect of social disintegration.

It is a fact that the space standards and construction standards of the majority of public-funded building projects during these periods exceeded those of the private sector, and the reason for their condition is neglect and lack of maintenance.

Excellent buildings of international status by Coia and Spence have been demolished while enlightened and misguided local authority housing developments have fallen into disrepair due to lack of programmed maintenance and inadequate revenue funding.

The Glasgow council taxpayer is still paying a substantial portion of tax to fund borrowing from the 1950s and 1960s to construct houses which are now being demolished. This consolidated overdraft is crippling Glasgow's potential.

I suggest that Cosla should approach central Government to write off the historic local authority debts and that area budgets should be allocated for both capital and revenue within local authorities to provide democratic control of resources.

Housing associations, residents' associations, councillors, and community councillors would have an input at this level, with regular consultative meetings with local people and with guidance and implementation by appointed professionals. Glasgow and other local authorities have tremendous potential for further regeneration but local community control is essential to produce a purpose designed local environment. The community housing association movement has demonstrated this potential and this model should be developed for community resources, community planning and architecture.

John M Pollock,

Tandlemuir House, Lochwinnoch.

January 27.

Wrong priorities

ON the day Glasgow District Council endorsed hundreds of redundancies and sweeping cuts in services, it was reported that Britain intended to send HMS Invincible to join 30 British and American warships in the Gulf.

In spite of the efforts of ambulance crews, the service is a shambles. We cannot afford to rescue a sick or injured old lady from a rubbish-strewn street promptly, but send another aircraft carrier to the Gulf? Nae bother.

Surely a case of fur coat and nae knickers?

Hughie Healy,

230 Kenmure Street, Glasgow.

January 27.